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Annual Report for 2022

As a now 73-year-old sportsman, I appreciate all of the days I continue to spend in the outdoors.

As occurred during 2021, I would not have collected either a deer or a turkey in 2022 if I didn't "have a Bob." My son, Bob, was responsible for my successes. As he had in 2021, he gained access for us to deer-hunting territory I thought I would never see again. In addition, he made sure we had chances to kill wild turkeys. In the spring he drove us to a spot he had discovered along one of his truck-driving routes. Not only did he kill a 25-pound gobbler; he also called in a 17-pounder for me after we had ascended a steep grass cliff. (Think of the grassy cliff outside Tyrone when getting on I-99 North.) He and our friend "Scout" had us in position to down fall turkeys. Bob, like Scout, killed one. I, however, did not tag one that day or during the rest of the one-week season. I "ate crow" for Thanksgiving. Reality demonstrates that I'm not a very effective hunter, and I must rely on Bob's hunting skills to help me.

Fishing: I still manage to catch trout throughout the year. Though I do not fish nearly as often as I once did and, therefore, do not catch as many trout, I still get out on a regular basis and fish much more than most other fishermen. This past season was a splendid one for the average size of the fish I landed. The trout I consider my best one was a 22-inch wild brown trout I caught while using a Sulphur dry fly on the BFO River one May evening. Though I netted several larger trout while using nymphs last year, the 22-incher was the largest wild trout I have ever landed while using a standard dry fly. Though fishing to sulphur hatches during the spring is usually my favorite time to fish, I think I enjoyed the seven weeks of autumn dry-fly fishing I described in a previous column as my favorite time during the 2022 season.

I was more observant of the progression of wild flowers and plants this past year than I often am. I admire the colors of May, with the redbud and dogwood mixing in with the pastel green of early leaves. The October leaf colors were the brightest they've been for a while.

A large bear crossing the BFO River only 50 yards upstream from me one evening provided a cause for concern, too.

 

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